Automatic weighing-machine.



PATENTED FEB. 21, 1905.

E. H.- RICHARDSON. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1904.

3 SHEETBBHBET 1.

lV/T/YEJUEJ' tmau q Mm PATENTED FEB. 21, 1905.

E. H. RICHARDSON. AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SEEET 3.

5 0 9 1 l 2 B E P D E T N E T A P AUTOMATIC WEIGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAILZB, 1904.

No' 783,078. 7 Patented February 21, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EARL H. RICHARDSON, OF ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO PACKING HOUSE EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF UPLAND, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORA- TION OF CALIFORNIA.

AUTOMATIC WElGHlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,078, dated February 21, 1905.

9 Application filed January 25, 1904- Serial No. 190.449.

whom it y receptacle in position to receive a load, means Be it known that I, EARL H. RICHARDSON for feeding fruits to said directing means, and 5 a citizen of the United States of America, rea receiving hopper or device positioned to residing at Ontario, county of San Bernardino, ceive the fruits from said receptacles, said diand State of California, have invented certain recting means automatically operated by the Improvements in Automatic Weighing-Mareciprocation of said frame to direct the fruits chines, of which the following is a specificainto the receptacle in position for receiving a tion. load.

This invention relates to automatic weigh- The invention consists, further, in general I0 ing-machines, and has for its primary object and subcombination of devices or mechanthe provision of a device which will automat isms and in constructions of parts, all as hereically weigh and deliver into a suitable recepinafter described, and particularly pointed out tacle the fruits, other objects, or material to in the claims.

be weighed, such fruits being continuously This invention will be more readily under- 5 delivered to the weighing mechanism. stood by reference to the accompanying draw- Afurther object is to provide such means in ings, forming part of this specification, in such form that the fruits roll from the feed- Which 5 trough into the weighing-receptacles and are Figure 1 is a perspective view of an autoautomatically rolled out therefrom into a suitmatic weighing-machine embodying the in- 20 able hopper or receiving device without jarvention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation, certain ring and without any perceptible fall, thereby parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a horiavoiding all possibility of bruising or injurzontal section on the line in (I13, Fig. 2. Fig. ing the fruits. 4 is a partial side elevation showing particu- The invention consists, primarily, of a relarly the means for supporting the tilting di- 5 ciprocating frame or beam provided with rector. Fig. 5 is avertical section on line :0

receptacles, preferably at opposite sides of w in Fig. 2. its fulcrum, automatically-releasing locking The main frame of the machine may be of mechanism adapted to hold said receptacles any suitable or preferred construction. As in position to receive their loads, means for shown in the drawings, it has two uprights or 3 delivering fruits to said receptacles as they vertical standards 2 2, mounted upon a suitare alternately brought to position for loadable base. About midway the length of the ing, and a receiving hopper or device into standards2 2' is a horizontal support on these which the fruits are rolled from said recepstandards and composed of end pieces 3 3 and tacles after said receptacles have received side pieces 4 4. Within this frame the re- 35 their predetermined loads. ciprocating beam or frame is pivoted. The

The invention consists, further, in means shaft or fulcrum 5 of the reciprocating frame for cushioning the drop or reciprocation of has its bearings in the respective side pieces 8 5 said receptacles, so as to prevent any jarring 4L 4. These bearings are knife-edge in order of the fruits upon the reciprocation of the to eliminate as far as possible all friction. 4 beam, thereby avoiding the bruising of the The reciprocating frame is made up of side fruits. bars 6 6, through the centers of which the More specifically, the invention consists in shaft or fulcrum 5 passes. 0 a reciprocating beam or frame provided with 7 7 represent hangers which are provided receptacles at opposite sides of its fulcrum, with downwardly-extending legs and a hori- 45 automatically-releasing locking mechanism zontal portion 8 8, having lugs adapted to adapted to alternately hold said receptacles in project through bearings in the ends of the positionto receive their loads, tiltinglyside bars 6 6 and suitably retained in place mounted means for directing the fruits to the either by nuts or by pins passing through the lugs. These lugs 9 also have knife-edge bearings, so as to avoid as much as possible friction. The legs of the brackets 7 '7 are pivoted at their lower ends to receptacles 10 10, which, as shown, are open at their tops and inner sides. The receptacles 1O 10 are provided with straps 30, (see Fig. 2,) attached to their backs and attached to the inside of the respective standards 2 2, so that when the receptacles are lowered to the position of the receptacle 10 in Fig. 1 the receptacle is thereby tilted into the position of the receptacle 10 and the fruits or other articles weighed will roll out therefrom into the hopper 11 beneath the reciprocating frame.

The lex'er or arm 12 is fixed on the fulcrum 5, as shown, and extends upwardly through a slot 13 in a cross-piece 14: of the frame. The upper end of this lever is forked, and in the fork is pivoted a member 15, to which a rod 16 is attached. This rod is attached to a piston in the air-cylinder 17, pivoted between two cross-bars 18 at the upper ends of the standards 2 2.

The pivotal connection of the air-cushion means with the frame carrying the receptacles is such that in the reciprocation of said frame the pivotal member passes from side to side of the dead-center between the pivots of the air-cushion cylinder and of the frame, so that as the frame approaches the central position from either side it will cause compression in the cylinder, and the device will therefore work identically in both directions of reciprocation.

The receptacles 1O 10 are provided with stops 34, which when the receptacles are moved and tilt back by their own weight engage with the downwardly-extending legs of hangers 7 or 7 to limit the backward tilting of the receptacles and maintain them in proper position to receive the fruit.

19 19 represent bearings mounted on the upper face of the cross-bar 14:- In these bearings are mounted levers 2O 20, carrying adjustable weights 21 21, and are provided with hooks 22 22. Stops 23 23 are provided on the rear endsof the trnnnions to prevent the levers 2O 20 from falling down out of operative position.

Arms 24 24 extend outwardly from the upper portion of the lever 12, and on the outer ends of these arms are pivoted dogs 25 25, these dogs having also hooks which are adapted to engage with the hooks 22 22 of the counterbalance-levers 2O 20. The dogs 25 are so pivoted that they may swing upwardly from the position shown in 'Fig. 1 to allow them to engage the hooks of the levers 2O 20, but are shouldered to prevent their dropping downwardly out of operative position.

From the respective cross-bars 4 4 depend brackets 26. As shown, the front bracket is in the form of a W, the apex of the center forming the pivot-points at which the tilting director 27 is pivoted. This director is preferably in the form of a trough having a closed rear end and open at its front end and into I which the feed-trough 28 is adapted to project and deliver the fruits to be weighed. The

tilting director 27 is provided at its rear end with an upwardly-extending arm 31, having inwardly-extending lugs 32.

From the fulcrum or shaft 5 extends an operating-arm 29, the lower arm passing between these lugs, and as the reciprocating frame is reci 'irocated the director is correspondingly tilted.

33 indicates a register which is connected by suitable means to the lever 12, so as to be operated at each reciprocation. 36 represents guards to guide the fruit into the director 27.

The operation is as follows: The fruit is fed into trough 28 in the usual manner and passes from the same into the tilting director 27, which guides it toward and into the receptacle 10 or 10, which at that time is elevated. The receptacle being held in elevated position close to the tilting di rector, there is but little fall of the fruit and no liability of injury thereto. The weight of the fruit in the receptacle exercises, through the tilting frame and the arm 12, a pressure upon the locking means, consisting of the catch or dog 25 and hook 22 at one side, the pressure being thus transmitted to the counterbalance-lever and tending to raise the weight thereon. \Vhen the proper amount of fruithas run into the receptacle, the pressure on the engaging parts will be snl'licient to overcome the weight on the counterbalance-lever, so that the latter will tilt up, allowing the catch or dog to release from the hook, whereupon the tilting frame will be swung over to the other side by the weight of the fruit, the motion being restrained by the air-cushion means. As the loaded receptacle descends its rear end is stopped and held by the strap means aforesaid, thereby tilting its inner end downwardly and dumping the fruit therefrom into the hopper 11. As the fruit completes its tilting movement the catch or dog 25 on the other side will be engaged with the hook 22 of the other counterbalance-lever. Mean while the tiltingmovement of the frame will throw the parts 29 31 32 aforesaid, operated to reversely tilt the director 27, so as to direct the fruit to the other receptacle, which at the same time will be lifted to position directly beneath the tilting director.

lVhat I claim is" 1. An automatic weighing-machine comprising a reciprocating frame or beam provided with receptacles pivoted thereto on opposite sides of its fulcrum, automatically-releasing locking mechanism for holding said receptacles in position for loading and comprising a member on said frame and adjustablyweighted locking means engaging said member, means for deliveringfrnits to said receptacles as the same are alternately brought to position for loading, and a receiving hopper or device positioned to receive the fruits from said receptacles.

2. An automatic weighing-machine comprising a reciprocating frame or beam provided with receptacles pivoted thereto on opposite sides of its fulcrum, means for delivering fruits to said receptacles as the same are alternately brought to a position for loading, means comprising a member on said frame provided With catches and adjustably-Weighted locking-levers having hooks engagingsaid catches for holding said receptacles in loading position until the same receive a predetermined load, and a receiving hopper or device positioned to receive the fruits from said receptacles.

3. An automatic weighing-machine comprising a reciprocating beam or frame, provided with pivoted receptacles at opposite sides of its fulcrum, tiltingly-mounted means for directing fruits to the receptacle in position for loading, means for feeding fruits to said directing means, means comprising a member on said frame provided with catches and adjustably-weighted locking-levers having hooks engaging said catches for holding said hoppers in loading position until loaded with a predetermined load, said directing means automatically operated by the reciprocation of said beam, and a receiving hopper or device positioned to receive the fruits from said receptacles.

4. The combination with a main frame, of a beam or frame reciprocatingly mounted thereon; supports pivoted on said beam or frame, receptacles pivotally connected with said supports, means for holding said receptacles in loading position, means for feeding fruits to the receptacle in loading position, a receiving hopper or device, and means for tilting said receptacles as the same are reciprocated into unloading position.

5. The combination with a main frame of a beam or frame reciprocatingly mounted thereon, supports pivoted on said beam or frame, receptacles pivotally connected with said supports, means for holding said receptacles in loading position, tilting means for directing the fruits into the receptacle in loading position, means for feeding fruits to said directing means, a receiving hopper or device and means for tilting said receptacles as the same are reciprocated into unloading position.

6. The combination with a main frame of a beam or frame reciprocatingl y mounted thereon, supports pivoted on said beam or frame, receptacles pivotally connected with said supports, means for holding said receptacles in loading position, tilting means for directing the fruits into the receptacle in loading position, means automaticallyoperated by said reciprocating frame for reciprocating directing means, means for feeding fruits to said directing means, a receiving hopper or device, and means for tilting said receptacles as the same are reciprocated into unloading position.

7. The combination with a main frame of a beam or frame reciprocatingl y mounted thereon, receptacles pivotally connected with said reciprocating frame at opposite sides of its fulcrum, means for delivering fruits to said receptacles as the same are alternately brought to position for loading, an oscillating lever connected with said reciprocating frame, pivoted catches carried by said lever, means on the frame with which said catches engage and a receiving hopper or device positioned to receive the fruits from said receptacles.

8. The combination with a main frame of a beam or frame reciprocatingly mounted thereon, receptacles pivoted thereto on opposite sides of its fulcrum, means for delivering fruits to said receptacles as the same are alternately brought to a position for loading, means for holding said receptacles in loading position until the same receive a predetermined load, a receiving hopper or device positioned to receive the fruits from said receptacles, and means forming an air-cushion adapted to take up the shock of reciprocation of said receptacles, said air-cushion means being connected to said frame by pivotal means passing from side to side of the dead-center in the reciprocating movement of the frame.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, at Los Angeles, county of Los Angeles, State of California, this 19th day of January, 1904:.

EARL H. RICHARDSON.

WVitnesses:

FREDERICK S. LYON, GEORGE 1. HAoKLnY. 

